How to Obtain Multiple EINs for Your Businesses
Yes, you can have multiple EINs — one per legal business entity. Learn when you need a separate EIN, how to apply using IRS Form SS-4, and what the IRS limits on same-day applications.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
Yes, you can have multiple EINs — but each one belongs to a separate legal business entity, not a single business with multiple tax IDs. If you own more than one LLC, corporation, or partnership, each entity needs its own Employer Identification Number (EIN). The IRS limits applications to 1 per day, so plan accordingly.
What an EIN is and why it matters
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit tax ID the IRS assigns to a business entity — think of it as a Social Security number for your business. The IRS uses it to track tax filings and payments. State agencies, banks, and lenders often require one too.
You'll need an EIN to open a business bank account, hire employees, file certain tax returns, and apply for business credit. Most multi-member LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofits are required to have one. Single-member LLCs without employees can sometimes use a Social Security number instead, but an EIN keeps your personal number off business documents — which is worth doing regardless.
When you need multiple EINs
You need a separate EIN for each separate legal entity you own or operate. The IRS assigns EINs to entities, not to people — so owning 3 LLCs means you need 3 EINs, even if you're the sole owner of all 3. You can't use one EIN across multiple businesses.
A few situations that trigger the need for a new EIN are worth knowing about. They're not always obvious, and getting it wrong means filing taxes under the wrong ID — which creates a paperwork headache with the IRS.
- You form a new LLC, corporation, or partnership — each entity gets its own EIN
- You change your business structure, such as converting a sole proprietorship to an LLC or corporation
- You add a subsidiary or separate business location that operates as its own legal entity
- A partnership dissolves and reforms with different partners, creating a new legal entity
- You acquire or merge with another business in a way that creates a new legal entity
- You hire employees for the first time and don't already have an EIN
One thing that doesn't require a new EIN: adding a DBA (doing business as) name to an existing entity. A DBA is a trade name, not a new legal entity, so the original EIN stays in place.
How to apply for multiple EINs
Applying for multiple EINs is the same process as applying for one — you just repeat it for each entity. Each application is filed separately using IRS Form SS-4. The IRS limits you to 1 EIN per responsible party per day, so if you're forming several businesses at once, you'll need to spread applications across multiple days.
Apply online
The fastest way to get an EIN is through the IRS online application at irs.gov/ein. You'll answer a short series of questions about your entity type, ownership, and reason for applying. The IRS issues your EIN immediately at the end of the session. The online application is available Monday through Friday, 7 AM – 10 PM ET. You can't save a partial application, so set aside 15 minutes to complete it in one session.
Apply by fax
You can fax a completed Form SS-4 to the IRS. Processing takes about 4 business days, and the IRS faxes your EIN back to the number you provide on the form. This option works if you can't use the online application — for example, if you're applying on behalf of a foreign entity.
Apply by mail
Mailing Form SS-4 to the IRS is the slowest option — processing takes 4 to 5 weeks. Use this only if the other methods aren't available to you. Mail your completed form to the address listed in the Form SS-4 instructions, which vary depending on where your business is located.
Apply by phone
International applicants can call the IRS at 267-941-1099 (not a toll-free number) Monday through Friday, 6 AM – 11 PM ET. A representative will take your information and issue an EIN during the call. This option is not available to domestic applicants — use the online application instead.
FAQ
There's no cap on the total number of EINs you can have. The IRS assigns one EIN per legal entity, and you can own as many entities as you want. The only restriction is that the IRS limits you to 1 EIN application per responsible party per day — so if you're forming multiple businesses at once, you'll need to spread applications across separate days.
Yes. You can have more than one EIN, but each one belongs to a separate legal entity. If you own 2 LLCs, you need 2 EINs. If you own an LLC and a corporation, each gets its own EIN. What you can't do is use a single EIN across multiple businesses — the IRS ties each EIN to one specific entity.
No. Each legal entity needs its own EIN. Even if you're the sole owner of several businesses, you can't share one EIN across them. The IRS uses EINs to track tax filings and payments at the entity level — mixing them up means your tax records won't match, which can create problems when you file.
It depends. A sole proprietor operating multiple businesses under the same legal structure — meaning no separate LLCs or corporations — can generally use one EIN across those activities. But if you form a separate LLC or corporation for any of those businesses, that entity needs its own EIN. The structure of the entity determines the EIN requirement, not the number of business activities.
Yes, in most cases. If you convert a sole proprietorship to an LLC or corporation, the new entity needs its own EIN — the old one doesn't carry over. The same applies if a partnership dissolves and reforms with different partners. A change in business structure typically creates a new legal entity, and new legal entities need new EINs.
It depends on how you apply. The IRS online application issues your EIN immediately after you complete it — the whole process takes about 15 minutes. Fax applications take about 4 business days. Mailed applications take 4 to 5 weeks. For most business owners forming a new entity, the online application at irs.gov/ein is the fastest option.
It depends. A single-member LLC without employees and without a corporate tax election can use the owner's Social Security number for federal tax purposes. But an EIN is still worth getting — banks often require one to open a business bank account, and it keeps your Social Security number off business documents. If your single-member LLC has employees or elects S Corp or C Corp status, an EIN is required.
